Thursday, January 10, 2008

One of the Savages had a watch on in one scene and Fritz had to stop the shooting. One of the cut scenes was of a man turning a full size cow on a spit and not being able to turn it all the way around. LOL.

Siegfried, son of King Sigmund, hears of the beautiful sister of Gunter, King of Worms, Kriemhild. On his way to Worms, he kills a dragon and finds a treasure, the Hort. He helps Gunther to win Krimhild, a mask that makes him invisible proves to be very useful. But because Brunhild is cursing Kriemhild, she tells her what really happened. Now Brunhild wants Siegfried's head. Is Gunther going to do her that favor? Written by Stephan Eichenberg {eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de}

The magnificent poetic saga of Siegfried is told through seven cantos: Canto 1: How Siegfried Slayed the Dragon: Siegfried, the son of King Siegmund, forges a sharp sword and hears stories from the locals about Princess Kriemhild. He decides to go to Worms to win Kriemhild. Along his journey, he kills a dragon and baths in its blood to become invincible. Canto 2: How Bolker, the Bard, Sang of Siegfried in Front of Kriemhild and How Siegfried Came in Worms: Siegfried fights and defeats the dwarf King of the Realm of the Nibelungen Alberich that was wearing his wonder cap that makes the user unseen or in whatever form he wishes. Alberich asks Siegfried to spare his life and in return he gives the Treasure of the Nibelungen and the Balmung sword. Siegfried makes twelve kings as his vassals, and when he asks the hand of Kriemhild to her weak brother King of Burgundy Gunther, he advises that he would accept is Siegfried helps him to win the strong Queen of Iceland Brunhild. Canto 3: How Siegfried Won Brunhild for Gunther: Siegfried wears the invisible helmet and helps Gunther to win Brunhild in the proofs of throwing stones and spear and jumping. Canto 4: How Brunhild Enters Worms and How the King Celebrate Their Wedding: Brunhild tells Gunther that she is her captive but not his bride. Gunther asks Siegfried to help him again in his wedding night, and Siegfried takes his form and accidentally brings Brunhild's armlet with him. Canto 5: How After Half a Year, Siegfried's Gift to His Bride, The Nibelungen Treasure, Arrives in Worms and How the Two Queens Quarrel With Each Other: When Kriemhild finds Brunhild's armlet, Siegfried tells her how her brother won the queen. While going to the mass, Kriemhild and Brunhild quarrel and the offended Kriemhild discloses the truth to her brother's wife. Canto 6: How Gunther Betrayed Siegfried: Brunhild lies to Gunther and tells him that she lost her virginity with Siegfried. Gunther organizes boar hunting in the Odenwald Forest and asks Hagen Tronje to slain Siegfried. Hagen lures Kriemhild and she tells the vulnerable part of Siegfried's body where the lime leaf has fallen. Brunhild fasts, Gunther betrays Siegfried, and Hagen impales him with a spear. Canto 7: How Kriemhild Swears Revenge to Hagen Tronje: Brumhild tells Gunther that she lied and he killed his only loyal friend. Then she dies of starvation. Kriemhild swears revenge to Hagen. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The womenfolk cause no end of trouble for their beaux in this 'Fritz Lang' masterpiece adapted from the Nibelungenlied. Magic swords, enchanted snoods, and powerful amulets abound at a time when the world is populated by dragons, dwarves, and Teutonic heroes. Siegfried is one tough customer, but he better watch out . . . hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Written by Thomas McWilliams {tgm@netcom.com}

I am actually a little surprised by the special effects on this film. But much of techniques of the glass plates and vignettes were later used and expanded on when he did such other masters as Metropolis.

Although the acting for the dragon fight scene was almost comical in nature and the over-dramatics of the Knight was too much, the dragon was truly a masterpiece of design and engineering. I even almost felt sorry for the dragon since it was not hurting anyone and Siegfried felt it was his duty to go search him out and slap his sword against the dragon a few times before stabbing its eye and then giving it a fatal blow that starts a small stream of liquid out of its neck. This is where Siegfried becomes like Achilles in being invulnerable to all weapons except one spot on his body.

Still it was slow with not a lot of dialog (silent). Seems it would have been a nice 1/2 long TV show.

And ironically the films subtitle was "For the German People". Nibelungen as Nietzchian supermen who hold the Asiatic Huns at bay. tableaux vivants